Gardner Content to Drive Off Fiscal Cliff

We’ve said before that we don’t buy any discussion that Republican Rep. Cory Gardner might run for U.S. Senate in 2014. It doesn’t make sense for Gardner to roll the dice on his political future so soon, and The Greeley Tribune (subscription required) highlights something else: Gardner just isn’t ready for a statewide race.

In an editorial today, the Tribune takes Gardner to task for his refusal to make any real compromise that would avert going off the ol’ Fiscal Cliff. Incumbent Republicans in safe Republican districts can talk all they want about how they have pledged to not raise taxes, blah, blah, blah. That kind of thing is red meat to many voters in Gardner’s district, and a scathing editorial from one of the major newspapers in CD-4 won’t really damage Gardner’s re-election hopes.

But a statewide candidate in Colorado can’t just close his eyes and put his fingers in his ears on a major budget battle. There are a lot of reasons why no Republican has won a major statewide office (Senate or Governor) in Colorado in a decade, and a refusal to move toward the middle is at the top of the list. Poll after poll has shown that American voters will blame Republicans more than Democrats if no budget deal is struck. If Gardner tried running for Senate in 2014, incumbent Democrat Mark Udall would quickly hang this anchor around his neck. Gardner’s far-right position on the budget would only help Udall to appear more moderate, and that’s how you get elected in Colorado these days.

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He can say whatever he wants at this stage and it won’t hurt him. When it counts, he’ll vote however Boehner tells him to. Yesterday’s business with the committee assignments was a warning to people like Gardner that might be tempted to buck leadership.

period. He’ll never run for anything else. 10 terms guarantees a pension and health care. Simple as that for Cory. He does not care what the issue is he will vote based on what Boehner and his district wants. Never expect leadership. He won’t seek committee chair positions unless it would be ag. In a few terms he and Lamborn will even look the same

always was the cagiest of the “Three Amigos” who were the Republican young lions when they became a force at the legislature, back in ’05..”06…I forget exactly. His buddies, Penry and McNulty, chose a path in state politics and party leadership…we all know how that worked out.

I think Cory is well aware of the status of his bread…as in …which side is buttered. I agree w/ you that he will sit tight and enjoy the ride in his safe seat while his ol’ buddies try to rebuild their political careers